The top skills the UN wants and the Master in International Development provides

3 min read

From the start of his professional relationship with the United Nations as an intern in 1999 to his top role in the learning and development field today, Jesús Guerrero Buitrago has a keen sense of what skills the UN and other international development organizations look for when hiring new candidates.

A self-described lifelong learner, Jesús is now the Chief of the Management and Communication Unit at the Centre for Learning and Multilingualism for the United Nations Office at Geneva. For those who seek to embark on a career path in international development, he emphasizes the importance of inspirational leadership, collaboration and skillful communication.

“Leading in times of uncertainty has become the new normal,” said Jesús in an interview earlier this year. As the COVID-19 crisis has shone new light on the collective nature of the problems the world faces today, the next generation of leadership needs strong communicators and collaborators at the forefront.

“I believe that real leadership is about supporting and inspiring people so that they can become their own leaders in anything they are responsible for,” Jesús says. “Leadership is a state of mind, an attitude, a mindset. You can influence and persuade others when you are connected to your own values and emotions, and you can develop your charisma using different tools and techniques.”

The perfect profile

So, what does it take to work at the UN or other international development organizations? According to Jesús, it has to do with the type of position you apply for. “Depending on the level of experience, if it’s a junior or mid-level candidate, we are going to be more focused on technical skills. If it’s more related to senior positions, we are going to be focused on leadership, decision making and soft skills.”

Jesús also mentions that nowadays the UN is particularly interested in attracting women leaders, and that job opportunities for women in international affairs are unquestionably on the rise.

In 2015, the UN created the 2030 Agenda, committing to 17 sustainable development goals that make up “a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all people and the world.”

That same year, the United Nations System Staff College (UNSCC) was founded—an organization dedicated to training the individuals who will form part of the organizations that will bring about that change. An integral part of the UNSCC’s mission is “to increase technical and substantive knowledge spanning the three pillars of the UN’s work: peace and security, human rights, and development,” enabling the UN system and its partners to address the challenges posed by the 2030 SDGs.

Boosting your employability

IE University’s Master in International Development is unique among master’s programs because it was designed in direct partnership with the UNSCC. Whether you are looking to work with the UN or another organization working in international affairs, this collaborative program sets you up with all the tools you need to land a job in international development.

The study plan is truly unlike any other. Designed both for recent graduates and for young professionals who want to go deeper, it equips ambitious individuals looking to make a change in the world. The curriculum encompasses the 5 P’s defined by the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership, and students graduate with the skills and expertise they need to generate a positive global impact.

Master in International Development students will spend an Immersion Week in a UN field operation, come into extensive contact with UN professionals, benefit from career and internship support to connect them with job opportunities, and receive a UN award of accomplishment upon program completion. For their final project, students choose between an individual, research-oriented thesis or a practical team-based Capstone Consulting Project.

The IE-UNSCC Master in International Development is a prestigious program that stands out from the rest for its hands-on nature and the wealth of networking possibilities it provides, both during and after the program. Students emerge fully prepared to launch or continue on an international development career in international organizations, private or public sectors.

If you are looking to open doorways that span multiple sectors, the possibility also exists to combine the Master in International Development with other IE University degrees, such as the International MBA or the Master in Management.

Contact a program specialist to learn more about how the Master in International Development fits with your future or current career in international affairs.